The Effects of a Care Plan Based on the Roy Adaptation Model on Depression among Nursing Home Residents

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders among nursing home residents. Nursing models are among the therapies with potential effects on depression.

This study aimed to determine the effects of a care plan based on the Roy’s Adaptation Model (RAM) on depression among nursing home residents.

This quasi‑experimental study was conducted on sixty older adults selected from four nursing homes in Urmia, Iran. Participants were randomly allocated to a control and an intervention group. A care plan based on the RAM was designed and implemented for participants in the intervention group. The plan included individualized and group educations based on participants’ maladaptive behaviors in the four modes of the RAM. During the intervention, participants’ maladaptive behaviors and their stimuli were determined and measures were taken for their management. The intervention lasted for 1.5 months, followed by a 1‑month supervision. Before and after the intervention, depression was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale. Data were analyzed through the independent‑ and the paired‑sample t and the Chi‑square tests.

The pretest and the posttest mean scores of depression were 5.78 ± 3.51 and 6.11 ± 3.64 in the control group and 6.81 ± 3.64 and 2.86 ± 2.50 in the intervention group. The between‑group difference respecting the pretest mean scores of depression was not statistically significant (P = 0.21), whereas the posttest mean score of depression in the intervention group was significantly less than the control group (P < 0.001). Although the mean score of depression in the control group did not significantly change (P = 0.32), it significantly decreased in the intervention group (P < 0.001).

The care plan developed in this study based on the RAM is effective in significantly reducing depression among nursing home residents. Therefore, it can be used for depression management in nursing homes.